Save The Date and Share Your Thoughts: October is Suncoast Digital Inclusion Month

Now in its third year, the Digital Access for All team at The Patterson Foundation and Digital Navigators across the region are gearing up for Suncoast Digital Inclusion Month. Every October, organizations across the country plan community outreach activities and events to raise awareness about the digital divide and help people gain access to the internet and devices, learn new computer skills, and use these to fully participate in today’s world in personally meaningful ways. Without digital access, it is nearly impossible to work, learn, play, engage civically, stay healthy, and prosper in today’s world. 

The digital divide affects roughly 25% of people living in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties, according to the U.S. Census. Many people in the region don’t have access to affordable broadband internet, or own appropriate and reliable computers and tablets, or possess the skills to use them.

Dedicating the month of October to digital access is one way The Patterson Foundation continues to tell the story of the digital divide on the Suncoast while providing community members with resources and experts to help bridge their own technology gaps.

To foster wide participation for Suncoast Digital Inclusion Month, we have developed a short planning survey to help us connect with individuals and organizations in the region who believe in digital access for all: Suncoast Digital Inclusion Month Planning Survey.

What does past participation look like? Over the past two years, in-person and virtual events have included:

• working with nonprofits to reach Veterans and underemployed people in the community to provide them with discounted internet subscriptions and free computer repair;
• partnering with an assisted living facility to teach seniors how to use a tablet; 
• hosting a webinar to share study data on the impact of low-cost internet and Spanish language computer training classes on Hispanic families; 
• and teaming with a local housing authority to help residents lower their internet bills and obtain free computers for K-12 students.

Additionally, we have also gathered storytelling opportunities, posted on social media, and held discussions in the DA4A LinkedIn Group.

Collaborations can take any shape and size that best fit the stakeholders involved, but know that your responses on the planning survey are not a commitment to participate. By completing the survey, you are open to exploring what’s possible to spotlight the urgent need for people to connect to affordable high-speed broadband, obtain large-screen devices like laptops and tablets, and learn to use these technologies. 

This year’s Suncoast Digital Inclusion Month celebration wouldn’t be completed without community voices like yours. Share your thoughts with us here and mark your calendar.